Christmas can be challenging for many military families, which is what motivated a group of people to try and brighten the holidays for the loved ones of those who serve. NBC’s Janet Shamlian reports.

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This content comes from Closed Captioning that was broadcast along with this program.

>>be tough on families dealing with a difficult situation. when one parent is in the military, it can make the challenges even greater.
janet shamlian
has made it easier.

>> reporter: on a quiet cul-de-sac in aurora, california, they arrived with a plan.

>>we'll surprise the ander sorn family.

>> reporter: one they carry out with military-like precision. they aren't soldiers but have come to surprise one, an airman, major
matt anderson
and his family.

>>we're going to hopefully make your
christmas
more enjoyable with all the challenges.

>> reporter: it's been a tough year for the andersons. son nate was diagnosed with leukemia.

>>your chest just drops. and you think, no, no it's just a pneumonia or something. they're wrong.

>> reporter: it was cancer. the 5-year-old has been in and out of the hospital for six months, all as major anderson was taking on new duties at
buckley air force base
.

>>how to get all the extra things done when it's so time consuming being at the hospital with his appointments and getting groceries and trying to get normal day life done.

>> reporter: when the company,
christmas
decor, learned of the andersons, they decided to deck their halls for free. it's truly a labor of love, every wreath and light that you see is donated. not just here, but for military families all across the country. every year more than 100 families with a mom or dad serving get the same surprise from workers like
john gibson
.

>>it would be hard to find somebody is more deserving.

>> reporter: yards of garland and thousands of lights later it felt like
christmas
.

>>i'm thinking about winning the prize for the best house decorated.

>> reporter: for a family that has been through a challenging year, their home now a point of happiness. serving those who serve our nation by making the holidays bright.
janet shamlian
, nbc news, aurora, california.